What is a Flipped Classroom Approach and How Does it Impact Private Education?

In the traditional classroom, learning involves a teacher delivering instructional content, usually by lecture format. Homework is assigned and done at night.

In the flipped classroom, this model is reversed; students watch videos of the lesson at home and come to class the next day prepared for discussion, and what up to now we considered homework. This frees up classroom time for more personalized learning, and means teachers are available to offer assistance and feedback.

The advantages of the flipped classroom approach are many. In a traditional classroom, students are often reluctant to ask questions for clarification. A video, however, gives students the opportunity to press the pause button and repeat. Students can also ask a question online and never have to hear the teacher ask, “Do you understand this?”. Where there are gaps in their knowledge, students can refer to previous videos.

Learning at their own pace and in the privacy of their home empowers students. It humanizes the classroom, and offers teachers an opportunity to get away from the one-size-fits-all model of teaching. The other advantage for the teacher is that time is freed up to walk around and interact with students. This helps them to diagnose problems on the spot, rather than waiting for a test or a quiz.

Data from schools that have used this model indicates that the flipped classroom approach is an effective tool in delivering curriculum. Parents at Kells have made many positive comments on flipping, too. They say that this method of teaching considerably removes stress at home at homework time. They also find that students are more willing to discuss homework, and that it helps develop independent learning in their children.

The Flipped Classroom and Learning Differences

We know that everyone learns differently, in their own style. In order to best address our students’ needs at English private school, we believe in offering them the opportunity to choose which modality works best for them.

At Kells, students learn at their own pace and comfort level

Introducing students to new concepts and ideas ahead of time allows them to work through the material, which can be a textbook, a video or in an audio format.   This encourages their critical thinking ability and allows them to pursue more in-depth analysis of the subject in a more engaging and meaningful way than the standard lecture or presentation.

Blended Learning Strategies Win at Kells’ Private Middle School

While the use of a text-based curriculum is certainly just as effective as ever, we believe that utilizing digital resources at a private middle school is an indispensible tool in keeping students current, up to date, and, most importantly, interested in the content they cover in class. That’s why using digital tools is very much at the core of our flipped classroom approach.

Both traditional and digital tools play a part in the flipped classroom approach

Are you interested in enrolling your child at an English academic middle school?

Contact Kells Academy for more information.